Sealing ring retention device

ABSTRACT

A sealing ring retention device for use in rotary mechanical fluid seals subjected to high fluid pressure and/or high temperature environments and including a vibration damping disk and anti-rotational structural features.

United States Patent Greenawalt 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] SEALING RINGRETENTION DEVICE [72] Inventor: Robert Gordon Greenawalt,Barrington,R.I.

[73] Assignee: Sealol, Inc., Warwick, R1.

[22] Filed: April 28, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 138,080

[52] US. Cl ..277/40, 277/DIG. 9

[51] Int. Cl. ..Fl6j 15/40, F16j 15/54 [58] Field of Search ..277/40,39, 86, 87, DIG. 9

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1971 Andresen "277/40 Yost.277/40 Voitik .277/40 Primary Examiner-Samuel B. Rothberg AtorneyRalphL. Cadwallader and Leo M. Kelly [57] ABSTRACT A sealing ring retentiondevice for use in rotary mechanical fluid seals subjected to high fluidpressure and/or high temperature environments and including a vibrationdamping disk and anti-rotational structural features.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patented Sept. 5, 1-972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1FlG.2.

FIG.5.

INVENTOR. ROBERT GORDON 'GREENAWALT ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 5, 19723,689,083

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 2 INVENTOR 5Q ROBBEYRT GORDON GREENAWALT F l G. 8 a}y M J'M ml! 3 ATTORNEY SEALING RING RETENTION DEVICE The presentinvention relates to a sealing ring retention device for use with rotarymechanical fluid seals of the type used for effecting a fluid tight sealbetween a rotating mating ring and a stationary sealing ring face andmore particularly with retaining a secondary sealing element and itsassociated parts within a housing including new structional featuresconsisting of a vibration damping disk and an anti-rotational device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a retention device inassociation with a primary sealing ring for retaining a secondarysealing ring within a housing to provide a unitary structure which canbe transported and inserted in a shaft housing, such as a pump housing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sealing ringretention device with a anti-rotational structural feature to preventthe primary fluid tight stationary sealing ring from rotating within itshousing or in relation to the secondary fluidtight sealing structure.

And still another object of the present invention is to provide asealing ring retention device with a vibration damping disk wherebyvibration created in the stationary sealing ring is absorbed by thedamping disk.

In environments where fluids are pumped or otherwise circulated it haslong been a practice to seal the rotary shaft which is a part of thepumping or circulation apparatus by utilizing a mechanical seal.

Commonly, the shaft extends from the zone of the fluid to a zoneoutwardly therefrom in the atmosphere and for rather obvious reasons,excessive fluid flow across the shaft from the fluid zone to theatmospheric zone is undesirable.

The aforementioned mechanical seals, conventionally, take the form of arotary member supported on the rotating shaft. The rotary member beingprovided with a mating face. The rotary member being one of theinterfaces which form a fluidtight joint between a stationary elementand the rotating member.

The stationary element is normally fixed in the pump housing and isprovided with a secondary sealing element which forms a fluidtight jointbetween the housing and the stationary element.

The secondary sealing element may take several forms. One form in thenature of an O ring is illustrated in FIG. 1. A second form, wherein asecondary sealing ring provides one element of an interface, andcooperates with a spacing collar, is illustrated in FIG. 7.

In either event, when the sealing ring forms part of a secondarystructure, it becomes necessary to retain that secondary structurewithin a housing so that the sealing element can be transported andinstalled in a pump casing as an integral unit whose parts can bereadily replaced for wear.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asealing ring retention device which will increase the sealing efficiencyof a secondary sealing element.

Other objects of the present invention will be pointed out in part andbecome apparent in part in the following specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings in which characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view through a rotary mechanicalseal showing the structural features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view in detail of the new and improvedsealing ring retention device.

FIG. 5 is an assembled view, in perspective of the detailed structure ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the structural elementsassembled in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified form of rotarymechanical fluid seal incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing another modified form ofrotary mechanical fluid seal construction incorporating thepresentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing still another modified formof rotary mechanical fluid seal construction incorporating the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the structural elementsassembled in FIG. 9.

In proceeding with this invention reference is directed to the drawings,wherein is illustrated the present sealing ring retention device asapplied to the sealing ring element of a rotary mechanical fluid sealforming a structural part of a secondary sealing unit removably retainedin a housing.

FIG. 9 shows a rotary mechanical fluid seal unitary structure, generallyindicated by reference numeral 16, housing the primary sealing ring andsecondary sealing element supported in a pump casing 9 and surrounding apump shaft 10. The shaft 10 may be provided with a reduced diameter 12forming a shoulder 11. A rotary member 13 provided with a mating face 14is fixed to the reduced diameter 12, as by a drive fit, and abutsshoulder 11. A pump impaller 15 may be fixed to shaft 10.

The unitary structure or housing 16 consists of an outer shell 17, aninner shell 18 and a back wall 20 integrally connected to both the outershell 17 and inner shell 18 to provide a chamber 21. Inner shell 18forms a shaft opening 23 through which shaft 10 freely passes.

A spacing collar, generally indicated by reference numeral 25, providedwith an outside diameter 26, an inside diameter 27, a rear surface 28and a front surface 29 is fastened to inner shell 18 by means of a drivefit with rear surface 28 abutting back wall 20. Thedrive fit provides afluidtight seal between inside diameter 27 and inner shell 18.

A primary sealing ring, generally indicated by reference numeral 30, isprovided with a forwardly protruding annular sealing face 31, an axialbore 32, a circular recess 33 having a vertical wall 35, an enlargedoutside surface 36, a rear wall 37 and two key ways 80, A.

A secondary sealing ring 40 is provided with an outside surface 41, aninside surface 42, a rear surface 39 and a front surface 34.

A wavy circular spring 43 is provided with a circumference 44 and anaxial opening 45. A back up washer 46 is provided with an outsidesurface 47 and a circular 48.

The new and improved sealing ring retention device shown in detail inFIGS. 4 and 5, comprises an antirotation key 50 and a locking ring 51.

Key 50 consists of base 52, having depending parallel sides 53, 54 and adepending end 55 which forms a channel 56 in cooperation with parallelsides 53, 54.

Locking ring 51 is an open ended wire loop body with the opposite ends57, 58 formed at right angles to the loop body 59 and parallel to eachother.

In assembling the several parts, two keys 50 are fastened to outer shell17, as by welding, and preferably diametrically opposite each other,within chamber 21 and with base 52 attached to the inner surface ofshell 17. Spacing collar 25 is drive fitted into position around innershell 18 and against back wall to thereby, be located in chamber 21.

Back-up washer46 is placed in circular recess 33 abutting vertical wall35 with outside surface 47 spaced away from circular recess 33 to allowfor outward thermal expansion of washer 46. Wavy circular spring 43 isplaced in circular recess 33 abutting back up washer 46 withcircumference 44 spaced away from circular recess 33. Secondary sealingring 40 is paced in circular recess 33 and is provided with an outsidesurface 41 larger in diameter than the diameter of circular recess 33,thereby, to provide a squeeze fit and a fluidtight seal between outsidesurface 41 and circular recess 33. This squeeze fit however, providesfor relative sliding movement between circular recess 33 and outsidesurface 41. Sealing ring 40 abuts wavy circular spring 43. The severalparts are placed in chamber 21 with rear surface 39 abutting frontsurface 29 on spacing collar in fluidtight relationship.

Locking ring 51 is then placed in seal ring retaining position byplacing the area of body 59 diametrically opposite to ends 57, 58 inchannel 56A with the tops of the loop adjacent ends 57, 58 in channel 56and with opposite ends 57, 58 located against depending walls, 53, 54respectively. In this manner sealing ring and the component parts of thesecondary sealing element are removably secured within chamber 21 ofhousing 16 with key way 80, 80A operatively engaging keys 50, 50A.

FIG. 1 shows a modified form of rotary mechanical fluid seal providedwith the new and improved sealing ring retention device.

The unitary structure or housing 16 is constructed exactly as previouslydescribed.

The primary sealing ring 30 is constructed exactly as previouslydescribed.

In place of the spacing collar 25 and secondary sealing ring an O-ring60 is provided as a substitute secondary sealing element. However, asubstitute spacing collar 25A is provided in the form of a vibrationdamping disk or collar fabricated from resilient material havingvibration absorbing characteristics. Any rubber or synthetic rubber orelastomeric type material inherently possesses the necessary resilientand vibration absorbing characteristics.

Vibration damping collar 25A is provided with an inside diameter oraxial bore 27A larger in area than the outside diameter of inner shell18. Two diametrically opposite key slots are provided consisting of abase, respectively, 70, 70A and two opposite and parallel, respectively,sides 71, 72 and 71A, 72A, respectively, are aligned in anti-rotationposition with respect to sides 53, 54, and 53A, 54A, respectively.

An O-ring is placed in position within circular recess 33 and againstvertical wall 35. The key ways 80, 80A in primary sealing ring 30 arealigned with keys 50, 50A. Sealing ring 30 is then placed within chamber21 so that the back surface 37 of ring 30 butts against vibrationdamping collar 25A with O-ring 60 engaging inner shell 18 in fluidtightrelationship.

Locking ring 51, is then placed in position as previously described.

It will be observed, that sealing ring 30, O-ring 60, vibration dampingcollar 25A, back up washer 46A and spring 43A are all held withinchamber 21 by means of locking ring 51.

That keys 50, 50A prevent sealing ring 30 from rotating in relation tohousing 16 and that vibration damping collar 25A will absorb vibrationlocated in sealing ring 30. Spring 43A urges washer 46A againstvibration damping collar 25A and Collar 25A against rear surface 37 sothat sealing face 31 is urged against mating face 14 on rotary member13.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, wherein is illustrated, a fragmentarycross sectional view of a modified form of construction shown in FIG. 1,2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The back-up washer 46A and O-ring construction shownin Fig. 1 is eliminated in FIG. 7. In this construction wavy spring 43Adirectly engages vibration damping collar 25A.

In all other structural features and functions the specie of FIGS. 1, 2,3, 4, 5 and 6 is the same as the specie shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of a modified form ofconstruction shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 8 the vibration damping collar 25shown in FIG. 7, is eliminated. The wavy spring 44A is interposedbetween back wall 20 and back surface 37. In all other structuralfeatures and functions the specie of FIG. 7 is the same as the specieshown in FIG. 8.

What I claim is:

1. A sealing ring retention device, adapted to cooperate with astationary sealing ring assembly forming part of a rotary mechanicalfluid seal, consisting of a housing having an inner shell provided witha shaft opening, an outer shell, and a back wall integrally connected toboth the inner shell and outer shell to provide a chamber, a primarysealing ring provided with a forwardly protruding annular sealing face,an axial bore, and an enlarged outside surface having a pair of keyslots, resilient means interposed between said back wall and saidprimary sealing ring urging said primary sealing ring away from saidback wall, a sealing ring retention device comprising a pair of keys,each key having a base and two upstanding parallel sides and anupstanding end forming a channel in cooperation with said two upstandingparallel sides, means fastening each key to said outer shell and withinsaid chamber, with said pair of key slots surrounding, respectively,said pair of keys to prevent said primary sealing ring from rotating inrelation to said housing, and a locking ring having an open ended wireloop body with the opposite ends fomied at right angles to the loop bodyand parallel to each other, the loop body being located in the channelof one of said pair of keys, the open end of the wire loop being locatedin the channel of the other of said pair of keys with opposite endslocated within the last mentioned key and between the two upstandingparallel sides, thereby, to secure the locking ring within said pair ofkeys to prevent said primary sealing ring from moving out of saidchamber.

2. A sealing ring retention device, adapted to cooperate with astationary sealing ring assembly forming part of a rotary mechanicalfluid seal according to claim 1 in which a vibration damping collar isprovided with an axial bore and a pair of key slots, said vibrationdamping collar being interposed between said primary sealing ring andsaid resilient means with said last mentioned pair of key slots,respectively, surrounding said pair of keys, and with said axial boresurrounding said inner shell.

3. A sealing ring retention device, adapted to cooperate with astationary sealing ring assembly forming part of a rotary mechanicalfluid seal according to claim 2 in which said primary sealing ring isprovided with a circular recess, and a secondary sealing means. locatedwithin said circular recess and around said inner shell.

4. A sealing ring retention device, adapted to cooperate with astationary sealing ring assembly forming part of a rotary mechanicalfluid seal, consisting of a housing having an inner shell provided witha shaft opening, an outer shell, and back wall integrally connected toboth the inner shell and outer shell to provide a chamber, a spacingcollar having an inside diameter, and a front surface, means fasteningsaid spacing collar to said inner shell in fluidtight relationship, aprimary sealing ring provided with a forwardly protruding annularsealing face, an axial bore, a circular recess, a vertical wall and anenlarged outside surface having a pair of key slots, a back up washerhaving an outside surface and a circular opening said washer beinglocated in said circular recess abutting said vertical wall with saidcircular opening surrounding said inner shell; a wavy circular springhaving an axial opening surrounding said inner shell and abutting saidback up washer, a secondary sealing ring having an outside surface, aninside surface, and a rear surface, said sealing ring being located insaid circular recess with said outside surface engaging said circularrecess and with said rear surface engaging said front surface in fluidtight relationship, said wavy circular spring urging said forwardlyprotruding annular sealing face away from said back wall, and a sealingring retention device comprising a pair of keys, each key having abaseand two depending parallel sides and a depending end forming achannel in cooperation with said two depending parallel sides, meansfastening each key to said outer shell with said pair of key slotssurrounding said pair of keys, respectively, to prevent said primarysealing ring from rotating in relation to said housing, and a lock ringlocated in said pair of keys to retain said primary sealing ring in saidhousing.

*zgggg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFTCE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3, 9, 3 D ted September 5 1972 Inventofls) Robert Gordon Greenawal t Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column l,line' l2, after "sealing" insert "element functionallyoperative with said primary sealing- Column 3, line l7, delete "paced"and insert --p-lac ed--.

Signed and sealedthis 29th day of May 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer 7 Commissionerof Patents

1. A sealing ring retention device, adapted to cooperate with astationary sealing ring assembly forming part of a rotary mechanicalfluid seal, consisting of a housing having an inner shell provided witha shaft opening, an outer shell, and a back wall integrally connected toboth the inner shell and outer shell to provide a chamber, a primarysealing ring provided with a forwardly protruding annular sealing face,an axial bore, and an enlarged outside surface having a pair of keyslots, resilient means interposed between said back wall and saidprimary sealing ring urging said primary sealing ring away from saidback wall, a sealing ring retention device comprising a pair of keys,each key having a base and two upstanding parallel sides and anupstanding end forming a channel in cooperation with said two upstandingparallel sides, means fastening each key to said outer shell and withinsaid chamber, with said pair of key slots surrounding, respectively,said pair of keys to prevent said primary sealing ring from rotating inrelation to said housing, and a locking ring having an open ended wireloop body with the opposite ends formed at right angles to the loop bodyand parallel to each other, the loop body being located in the channelof one of said pair of keys, the open end of the wire loop being locatedin the channel of the other of said pair of keys with opposite endslocated within the last mentioned key and between the two upstandingparallel sides, thereby, to secure the locking ring within said pair ofkeys to prevent said primary sealing ring from moving out of saidchamber.
 2. A sealing ring retention device, adapted to cooperate with astationary sealing ring assembly forming part of a rotary mechanicalfluid seal according to claim 1 in which a vibration damping collar isprovided with an axial bore and a pair of key slots, said vibrationdamping collar being interposed between said primary sealing ring andsaid resilient means with said last mentioned pair of key slots,respectively, surrounding said pair of keys, and with said axial boresurrounding said inner shell.
 3. A sealing ring retention device,adapted to cooperate with a stationary sealing ring assembly formingpart of a rotary mechanical fluid seal according to claim 2 in whichsaid primary sealing ring is provided with a circular recess, and asecondary sealing means located within said circular recess and aroundsaid inner shell.
 4. A sealing ring retention device, adapted tocooperate with a stationary sealing ring assembly forming part of arotary mechanical fluid seal, consisting of a housing having an innershell provided with a shaft opening, an outer shell, and back wallintegrally connected to both the inner shell and outer shell to providea chamber, a spacing collar having an inside diameter, and a frontsurface, means fastening said spacing collar to said inner shell influidtight relationship, a primary sealing ring provided with aforwardly protruding annular sealing face, an axial bore, a circularrecess, a vertical wall and an enlarged outside surface having a pair ofkey slots, a back up washer having an outside surface and a circularopening said washer being located in said circular recess abutting saidvertical wall with said circular opening surrounding said inner shell; awavy circular spring having an axial opening surrounding said innershell and abutting said back up washer, a secondary sealing ring havingan outside surface, an inside surface, and a rear surface, said sealingring being located in said circular recess with said outside surfaceengaging said circular recess and with said rear surface engaging saidfront surface in fluid tight relationship, said wavy circular springurging said forwardly protruding annular sealing face away from saidback wall, and a sealing ring retention device comprising a pair ofkeys, each key having a base and two depending parallel sides and adepending end forming a channel in cooperation with said two dependingparallel sides, means fastening each key to said outer shell with saidpair of key slots surrounding said pair of keys, respectively, toprevent said primary sealing ring from rotating in relation to saidhousing, and a lock ring located in said pair of keys to retain saidprimary sealing ring in said housing.